Handbook for Parents 3
Co-parenting

There is no need to take your children to special places or buy them expensive toys in order to maintain the parent-child relationship if you don’t live with them, what matters is the amount of time you spend with them. Doing ordinary things such as chores or going out for a walk is good enough for them to feel your presence in their lives. If you have more than one child, try and spend quality time with them individually, tell them stories, watch movie or TV with them, or tell them any interesting news you know.

Facing challenges

• You may feel devastated if your children refuse to spend time with you. Please understand this could be a result of being stuck in the middle of two parents, and that they are fear of the potential conflicts between you two. Be patient and respect their views. Let them know they can reach you anytime they want, through phone, text, or email.


• Accept short child contact arrangement. Younger children might not want to spend the night outside of home, but they will be willing to spend the day with you.


• Understand teenagers may not want to be stuck at home as they want to spend time with their friends.


• Understand your children might not like staying with your new partner or friend together at first, as things like this will take time.